Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-01-16

/ ND HUu- ulllNCNL " ~ ANE
been whoopin, and yellin' n circus
ridin' on the roads like ez yer wos CONAN
ehes, and frightening all the ONE folk
within m~iles-that's yer huntin'! ou've
been elimbin' down paws old slide at last,
and maxim tracks for here to save the
skins of them condemned government
horses Of the kempany! And that's your
huntin'p
To Hale's surprise q burst of laughter
from the party followed this speech. he
tried to Join iu, but this ridiculous sum-,
mary of the result of his enthusiastic sense
| of duty LETT him-the only earnest believer
mortified and embarrassed. Nor was he
the less concerned rs he iOuud the girIs
dark ewes had rested once or twice upon
him curiolsly.
Zenobia laughed too, and, lazily, turn
ing the chair around, dropped into 1t.
And by this time George Lees loungin
back in his chyar and smOkin' his cigar
somewhat in Sacramento" she added,
stretching her feet out to the lire, and
suiting the action to the word with an
imaginary cigar between the long fingers
of a thin and not over clean hand.
'We a Zeenie!" said Rawlins, when
their hilarity had subsidized to a more sub
dued and scarcely less flattering admira-
ton of the uncOncerned goddess before
them. That's about the size of it. Ge
kin rake down the pile. | forgot you're
an old friend of Georges"
Hes a white man. said the girl decid-
eddy.
Eye used to know him." continued
Rawlins.
"Once. Paw amt in that line now"
she said simply.
There was such u sublime unconscious
neSs of any moral degradation involved in
this a~llusion that even Hale accepted it
| without n shock. She rose presently, and
going to the little siIlebOard, brought out
a number Of glasses; these she handed to
each OF the party, and then, producing 4
demiiohn of whisky, slung it dexterously
and gracefully over her arm, so that it
rested on her elbow like a cradle, and,
going to each one in succession, filled their
glasses. 1t obliged each one to rise tn ac-
ccpt the libatiOn, and ~ Hale did SD ia hrS
turn he met the dark eyes OF the girl full
on his own. There was q pleased curiosity
in her glance that made this married man
of 35 color as awkwardly rs a boy.
The tender of refreshments being under
stood rs q tacit recognition Of their claims
to u large hospitality, all further restraint
was removed. ZenObia resumed her seat,
and placing her elbow on the arm of her
chair, and her small round chin in her
hand, looked thoughtfully, id the fire.
"When | say George Lees . white man, it
amt because | know him. It's his general
gait. WOt's he ever done that's under
handed or mean? NOthin'l You can't
show the poor man he's ever took q
~picavune from. When he's helped HIM
self to a pile it's been outer them banks or
them express companies, that think it
mighty fine to bust up themselves and
swindle the poor folks O. their last cent,
and nobody talks o huntin' them! And
does he keep their money? No; he passes
it round among the boys that help him,
and they put it in circulation. He don't
keep it for himself; he amt got fine houses
in Frisco; he don't keep fast horses for
show. Like ez not the critter he did that
job with-ef it was him-none of yOu boys
would have rid! And he takes all the
risks himself; YOU kin bet your hfe that
every man with him was safe and away
afore he turned his back on You uns."
ale certainly drops a little Ofhis money
ut draw poker, Ieenie, " said Clinch, laugh
ing. "He lost s., 900 TO Sheriff Kelly last
week" !
"Well, IdOn't hear of the sheriff huntin'
him TO give it back, nor do | reckon Kelly
handed it over to the express it was taken
from. | heard you won suthin' from him
a spell ago. / recken you've been huntin'
him to find M whar you should return
it," The laugh was clearly against Clinch.
He wa about to make some rallying re-
ioinder when the young girl suddenly in
terrupted him. "Ef yO're wantin' to hunt
somebody, why don't you take higher
game? Thar'S that Jim Harkins; 90 for
him, and I'll Join You"
"Harkins!' exclaimed Clinch and Hale,
simultaneously.
Eyes, Jim Harkins; do You know him?'
she said, glancing from the one to the
other.
Zone Ofmy friends do" said Clinch,
laughing; ''but don't let that stop you"
And yOW-ovcr there" continued
Zenobia, bending her head and eyes to-
ward Hale.
''The fact isl believe he was myI
banker said Hale, with u smile. 81
don't know him personally"
''Then you'd better hunt him before he
does YOU"
What's he done, Zeenie?" asked Raw
Inns, keeuly enjoying the discontinue of
the others.
what" She stopped, threw her long
black braids over her shoulder, clasped
her knee with her hands, and rocking
backward and forward, sublimely I'M
conscious of the appHritiOn of slim ankle
aud half dropped Oft slipper from under
her shortened gown, continued: at
mighn' please him." she said, slyly, nod
ding toward Hale.
Pray don't mind me-" said Hale, with
unnecessary eagerneSs.